Aluminium Machining

MORE ALUMINIUM IS BEING PROCESSED IN INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTION WITH ITS SPECIAL CHARACTERISTICS

Aluminium has a high specific strength. Compared to steel, aluminium components of a given strength are only half as heavy, but are larger in volumetric terms. Therefore they are attractive to use in lightweight structures where a low mass is desirable, for instance in transport applications where they contribute to reductions in fuel consumption, especially in aerospace.

This reason is applicable also to motor-vehicle construction; where previously the high material price, the difficulties of welding and the problematic fatigue strength and deformation characteristics in the event of collisions (low energy absorption in the crunch zones) were obstacles. The corrosion resistance of aluminium to seawater makes it attractive for building small and medium sized boats. In 2017, vehicle building (incl. planes, boats and railway cars) accounted for the largest proportion, approx. 48 %, of the world-wide consumption of aluminium (source GDA e.V.).

Aluminium alloys achieve strength values that are only a little less than those for steel. Aluminium and duraluminium are widely used in aircraft construction in particular. The majority of the structure of present-day commercial aircraft is made by riveting together various thicknesses and alloys of sheet aluminium.

In general, aluminium is regarded as easy to cut. Compared to steel of the same strength, the cutting forces that occur are considerably lower (approx. 30% of those of steel). On account of the relatively large chip volume possible with aluminium, the chip shape is an important criterion. It depends on the material itself, the cutting conditions and on the tool geometry

Advantages of Aluminium:

• Aluminium is light: Weight reduction is a critical advantage for reducing energy consumption, especially in the automotive and aerospace industries.
• Aluminium is stable: The use of alloys achieves strengths that are virtually the same as in steel.
• Aluminium is corrosion-resistant: A thin oxide layer quickly forms and protects the metal.
• Aluminium is easily processed: Complicated hollow sections and geometries are achievable by extrusion.
• Aluminium is a good conductor: The high thermal conductivity, in conjunction with the high specific heat capacity tend to favour the good machinability and permit high cutting speeds.
• Conservation of resources: Aluminium lends its itself very well to recycling.

PRECISION-BALANCED TOOLS. UNCOATED OR WITH DLC COATING.

Special ground finish to optimise the out-of-balance and achieve the best possible out-of-balance at high speeds for each diameter.

GARANT MASTER ALU PICKPOCKET. PROVEN CONCEPT – NOW ALSO FOR MACHINING ALUMINIUM

APPLICATION RECOMMENDATION:
At maximum feed rates, wet machining is recommended in order to prevent material galling to the cut surface, which can cause generation of large amounts of heat!

GARANT MASTER ALU SLOTMACHINE. WITH LATEST GENERATION OF DLC COATING IN GREEN, AND THROUGH-COOLANT

APPLICATION RECOMMENDATION:
At maximum feed rates, wet machining is recommended in order to prevent material galling to the cut surface, which can cause generation of large amounts of heat!